David Fain on
Teakettle, Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan
Mtns. photo:MF
David Fain
rappelling from Rockchuck
(GTNP) photo:MF
David was
married, with a full-time job, and soon children, and so could not join
us as often as we would have liked. But he and Audrey and their son did
join us for one Tetons trip, and before that David and Audrey were
frequent members of the outings to Devils Lake.
In his own words:
David Fain
After
a stint in the army, I came back to U of C and found that my brother,
Mike had
become involved with the climbing club and he invited me to Devil’s
Lake for
some instruction. Once that rope was around my waist and my hands felt
rock I
was hooked! Mike, Pete, John Gill, Ron and others taught me a bit of
technique
and rope handling and I became a regular participant at Devil’s Lake.
Not only
did I have great fun on the rock but I met a bunch of wonderful people.
Audrey
accompanied me and put me to shame with her balance, leg strength and
innate
ability. Car camping with the kids
severely limited us to places like Rock Mountain Natl Park, the
deserted mines
of Yankee Boy Basin and Coulter Bay in
the Tetons and I envied the others who climbed in more exotic places
but we had
great fun anyway. In the summer of ’60
we moved to Boulder and were pleased that many club members crashed
with us on
their way to mountain heights. Bouldering around Boulder was fun and
improved
my technique. Audrey and I also learned to ski and this became our
passion for
many years (until my knee gave out a year ago).
In ’62 we moved to the D.C. area and became Sunday boulderers on
the Potomac palisades along with various government types and spooky
folks.
Technology
businesses took most of my time and I founded an aerospace company
around the
Capital beltway. Ski injuries to both of my rotator cuffs closed out my
rock
climbing days. Finally, we moved to Berkeley, CA where
I founded another two technology companies, continued to
ski avidly but no more climbing. 15
years ago I remarried and helped raise a couple of boys (both, now in
college)
and a bunch of dogs. I’m now semi-retired, mentoring small businesses
and doing
angel investment. Most recently, after a hiatus of 51 years I became a
radio
amateur operator again (call sign W9IQG) and am active in emergency
response
communications.
I
think it is astounding that my old climbing buddies are in touch with
each
other and seeing all those old photos brings back really wonderful
memories.
Thanks to all of you for the effort.